What Are Venetian Blinds?

Venetian blinds are window coverings made of wood, metal or vinyl horizontal slats connected with strings that allow them to be adjusted to either let light in or keep light out.

Venetian blind history. Blinds.com reports that Venetian blinds, despite the name, did not originate in Venice (nor did they originate from Venus, which would make them Venutian blinds). Venetian blinds most likely came from Persia initially. The blinds caught the eye of Venetian traders in the 18th century who brought them to both Venice and Paris, where they became an instant hit. This new type of window covering, called Les Persienes in Paris, soon became popular throughout Europe.

Venetian blinds in the United States. Long before the Statue of Liberty began welcoming immigrants to the land of the free, American colonists, longing for an end to the nuisance of sun in the eyes and nosy neighbors, welcomed these foreign blinds onto the windows in their homes and businesses. Venetian blinds, in fact, were witnesses to some of the seminal moments in United States history.

Venetian blinds and the establishment of a new nation. Soon after Venetian blinds began covering European windows, John Webster introduced them to the United States, where they became a popular item among the upper classes. Blinds soon covered many windows in government and public office buildings. One mustn't look hard to spot the Venetian blinds in the background of J.L. Jerome’s painting, “The Visit of Paul Jones to the Constitutional Convention,” and illustrations of Independence Hall at the time the Declaration of Independence was signed.

The future of Venetian blinds. Although the materials used for Venetian blind have been improved throughout the centuries, the basic concept remains the same. They can be purchased in a variety of colors and are very easy to clean. All it takes is a damp cloth and warm water.